Vozinha, real name Josimar José Évora Dias, is the Cape Verdean goalkeeper who captivated the world at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, turning a long-shot dream into a historic moment for his nation.
Before Fame
Born on June 3, 1986, in the coastal town of Mindelo on São Vicente island, Vozinha was raised by his grandparents, who he often says shaped everything he is.
As a kid, he was always talented, but frequently overlooked, especially for being shorter than most goalkeepers. Even his name tells a story: his father wanted to call him “Valdano” after the Argentine legend, but officials wouldn’t allow it, so Josimar became his official name.
Career
Vozinha’s professional journey didn’t start until he was 25, in 2012, and at one point, he nearly quit football altogether before deciding to chase his World Cup dream to the end. He built a gritty, globe-trotting career, playing in Portugal, Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, and Cyprus before settling back in Portugal’s second division with GD Chaves.
He made his Cape Verde debut in 2012 and has since become one of the country’s most-capped players. At 40 years and 12 days old, he became the oldest player to feature in a nation’s first-ever World Cup match, then stole the show with a stunning 0–0 draw against Spain, saving seven shots and becoming an instant national hero.
Trivia
Fans know him as “Vozinha,” a nickname that roughly translates to “little grandmother” in Portuguese.
Just before the World Cup, his Instagram following sat around 50,000. After the Spain match, it skyrocketed to over 5 million overnight. And before that performance, his market value was barely €50,000, a journeyman by industry standards, now a legend by heart.
Family Life
Off the pitch, Vozinha keeps to himself. He’s shared very little publicly about parents, siblings, a wife, or children. What he has spoken about most emotionally are his grandparents, he’s said he broke down after the Spain game because they weren’t alive to witness the moment he’d chased for so long.
Net Worth
As of 2026, estimates put Vozinha’s net worth at around $500,000, with some figures reaching as high as $1.5 million once bonuses, sponsorships, and post-World Cup opportunities are factored in.